Overseas property service launched to agents
A new service which claims to enable independent travel agents to tap into the overseas property market has been launched.
It came as a report from the Institute of Public Policy Research shows that more than 5.5 million Britons – one in 10 of the population – now live overseas.
SunSearch Holiday Homes provides agents with access to more than 100,000 homes for sale and the chance to generate up to £50,000 in additional revenue a year.
Bolton-based Flightmasters is one of the first agents to sign up to the scheme.
Agents who subscribe to SunSearch will be able to claim typically between 1% to 4.5% commission on each property they sell, according to the company.
The majority of the commission is usually paid within weeks of the buyer signing for the property as opposed to months after completion, which happens in conventional transactions. Agents are provided with access to an updated SunSearch online property database, point of sale and marketing material.
The subscription costs an initial fee of £65, plus a monthly fee of £15 per office. SunSearch offers a money back guarantee to any agent who doesn’t benefit from a property sale within the first 12 months, providing the agent has made some effort to promote the service, the company said.
Sales director Peter Whittle said: “Good independent travel agents are perfectly placed to cash in on this burgeoning market.
“Travel agents have an excellent knowledge of destinations, are more impartial than developers, who may have a vested interest in a particular country, and can easily sort travel arrangements for property viewings.
“SunSearch will complement this expertise with an online database of property and access to foreign property agents, property law and accountancy experts and translators.
“Ultimately, independent travel agents will become the first port of call for Britons buying foreign properties and travel agents who sell just four properties a year stand to make at least an extra £15,000, with little investment or effort on their part.”
Flightmasters director Dave Smith said: “The market is becoming increasingly competitive and prices driven down by some of the industry’s large multiples. SunSearch will provide us with an extremely cost-effective way to generate significant levels of additional income, without us having to invest huge amounts of time or overhaul our existing systems and premises.
“Using conservative estimates, we’re aiming to sell six properties in the first year and more than doubling this in year two once the public has become more aware of our offering.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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